Grand Ledge Buses Get New Cameras for Passing Cars - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

Grand Ledge Police ticketed three drivers last week for illegally passing stopped school buses. These drivers were caught by cameras installed on Grand Ledge Public School buses.

Thanks to some new technology, drivers passing school buses while the stop arm is out and flashing red could pay upwards of $500. Police say it's the law to stop when a school bus stops and flashes red, even on a multiple-lane road.

"If the vehicle or bus has its red lights on, you have to come to a stop 20 feet behind the vehicle, you're supposed to," said Mark Sleep, a Grand Ledge officer.

These cameras keep rolling while drivers are on their routes, and if someone passes a bus illegally, all the bus driver has to do is watch the footage, get the license plate number and tell the cops.

"They've seen two things that the driver is doing: talking on their cell phone, or looking down and texting. And they never saw the school bus," said John Legus, Grand Ledge Public Schools Transportation Supervisor.

Police say that's an extremely dangerous situation, not just for the children getting off the bus, But for other drivers who are stopped. They're urging all drivers to be more careful around school buses.